Monday, September 10, 2012

We recently attended the 2012 Markel/USEF National Dressage Young Horse Championships at Lamplight Equestrian Center in St. Charles, Illinois.

Last year we had a 4 year old mare of ours, Petite Belle, in the championships. This year we went to watch and learn and also to cheer on a friend and trainer with her Developing Young Horse competing in the Prix St. Georges.

This year there was also a class at Grand Prix level for 9 and 10 year old horses.

One of the points I made was that many stallion owners offer discounts for people willing to commit early and there are several Stallion breeding auctions held by the breed registries and other groups that start later in the year or very early the following year.

We are offering a special discount for early breeding to our stallion, Patrick, that is good until the end of the year. See the details below.

Save 50%

Off the $1250 Breeding Fee. Contract for a breeding to
Patrick, our Dutch Warmblood Stallion, and pay the $250 non-refundable
booking fee by the end of 2012 for a 2013 AI breeding using frozen semen. The
remaining $375 must be paid before the semen is shipped and the breeder is
responsible for shipping and other fees from Select Breeders Service, Inc.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

It recently came to my attention that I had produced enough Premium foals to get my first star in the Star Award Breeder Program with the ISR/Oldenburg N.A. Registry.

I decided I should look into the program to see if there were any other stars for which I might qualify. I found out that there are 3 possible stars and that I had a good start with the other 2. With a little luck I should be able to get all 3 in another year or two.

I wrote an article about the program, outlining the requirements and showing off my accomplishments. It is called "Star Award For Horse Breeding" - click on the title to read my account.

Let me know how you liked it and any thoughts you have about the program in the comments section below.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

I wrote a page about the 2012 U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team that I want to share.

It has videos of each rider/horse, links to information about each rider, and information about each of the events - Dressage, Jumping, and Eventing. There is also additional information about the Olympics and other fun stuff.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Breeding season for Sport Horses is in full swing in May, June, and even July. Most breeders want a foal born in the spring for several reasons.

Spring is nature's preferred foaling time and so mares will be easier to get in foal without having to use a lot of hormones and other artificial methods.

Since horses have an 11 month gestation, the resulting foals will be born in April, May, and June when the temperatures are more moderate.

Many Sport Horse Breed Registries hold inspections in the U.S. in the late summer and early fall - foals born before April may be already weaned and entering an unattractive growth spurt - not a good time for getting good scores.

Select Breeders Services has a really helpful article for preparing your mare for breeding here. Following their recommendations should help you produce the foal you are wanting.

If you haven't already decided on a stallion, Patrick, our grey Dutch Warmblood might be just what you are looking for. Take a look at his offspring on our website.

Monday, April 9, 2012

We are hosting a Young Horse Clinic with Michael Bragdell from Hilltop Farm, Inc. on April 21 - 22, 2012. The local paper did an article about the clinic - see the article here. This is always a popular clinic and we have several local trainers and riders that attend regularly. It is wonderful to be able to have a trainer with Michael's credentials and to be able to share him with other riders in our area.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Sometimes it is healthy to give yourself permission to take a step back from everything you do with your horses and try to see it from another perspective. It would be great if you could do it from the horse's view as well as the other people that are involved with them. This book by Jane Smiley - Horse Heaven - does just that. It is funny and sad, and I'm sure you will find some of your animals and associates in her pages.

This book made me laugh a lot and I really enjoyed reading the chapters that were from the animal's point of view - the dog is hilarious - and the horses' thoughts and feelings are what I think most horse lovers would expect. It is a long book, but when you finish it you will wish there was more.